Eddie Jordan, historic Formula 1 team boss, dies at 76: cause of death and tributes

Eddie Jordan passed away this Thursday in Cape Town at the age of 76 after a year-long battle with prostate cancer, his family announced. The Irish entrepreneur, best known as the founder, owner, and team principal of Jordan Grand Prix, led his team through 15 seasons in Formula 1 from 1991 to 2005 before becoming a beloved figure in the paddock through his media work.

Now, that same paddock mourns his loss. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali paid tribute:

“We are deeply saddened to hear about the sudden loss of Eddie Jordan. With his inexhaustible energy he always knew how to make people smile, remaining genuine and brilliant at all times.

“Eddie has been a protagonist of an era of F1 and he will be deeply missed. In this moment of sorrow, my thoughts and those of the entire Formula 1 family are with his family and loved ones.”

What family does Eddie Jordan leave behind?

Jordan, a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), is survived by his wife and four children. He started his career as a karting, single-seater, and prototype driver, but his greatest success came as a team owner and leader.

He founded Jordan Racing in 1979, competing in various British championships, before launching Jordan Grand Prix in 1991, which went on to contest 250 Formula 1 races. Over the years, the team became known as a launchpad for legendary drivers – most notably, it gave Michael Schumacher his F1 debut before Flavio Briatore swooped in to sign him for Benetton.

Jordan Grand Prix won four Formula 1 races:

• Belgium 1998 (Damon Hill)
• France 1999 (Heinz-Harald Frentzen)
• Italy 1999 (Frentzen again)
• Brazil 2003 (Giancarlo Fisichella)

A legacy that lives on in Aston Martin

Interestingly, Jordan’s former team lives on today as Aston Martin. Though its Silverstone factory has transformed beyond recognition, its origins can be traced back to Jordan Grand Prix.

The team was sold in 2005 to Midland, backed by Russian and Canadian investors, before rebranding as Spyker in 2006, though both iterations struggled for results. Force India acquired the team in 2008, enjoying some successbefore financial trouble forced a 2018 rebrand as Racing Point. Then, in 2020, Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll purchased the outfit and rebranded it as Aston Martin.

RIP Eddie Jordan.

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